The Government is urged to avoid appointing permanent secretaries and CEOs to multiple boards, particularly when they have not successfully managed their respective ministries or companies. This statement was made by Opposition Member Premila Kumar during a Parliamentary debate concerning the ‘Review Report of Assets Fiji Pte Ltd Annual Report 2016–2019’ on Tuesday.
Kumar stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the stewardship of public assets. She pointed out the shortcomings of the chair of Asset Fiji Ltd, a former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, who failed to respond to the committee’s request for a public meeting.
Labeling these actions as “unacceptable,” Kumar expressed that such behavior is a “disservice to the people of Fiji.” She reiterated her previous calls for the government to cease the appointment of permanent secretaries and CEOs to multiple boards when they have not effectively managed their responsibilities or are too preoccupied to participate in important meetings.
Kumar noted that Asset Fiji Ltd manages assets worth $57 million and emphasized the necessity of efficiently managing public assets to ensure revenue generation for the government.